Machine for sewing buttons to fabrics.



No. 656,458. Patented Aug. 2|, |900.

- J. T. HOGAN.

MACHINE FDR SEWING BUTONS TI) FABRICS.

(Application led Dec. 29, 1897.)-

HIS ATTORNEY N0. 656,458. Patned Allg. 2l, |900. J. T. HOGAN.

MACHINE FOR SEWING BUTTONS T0 FABRICS.

(Application led Dec. 29, 1897.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

` (No Model.)

INVENTOR wnNESSES: lllll-lllllIIlH -El'.[wmmumw H l5 ATTORNEY camsPinzas co.. moro-Lm.. wnlunron. n. c.

Patented Aug. 2l, |900.

J. T. HOGAN. MACHINE FDR SEWING BUTTONS T0 FABRICS.

(Application led Dec. 29, 1897.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

ll-lll" INVENTOR :Za-J. T//ofwfv j @ffm HNE..

HIS ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

. J. T. HOGAN.

MACHINE FOR SEWING BUTTONS T0 FABRICS.

Patented Aug. 2|, |900.

(Application led Dec. 29; 1897.)

5 Sheets-Shut 4.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR WITNESSESF HIS ATTORNEY No. 656,458; Patented Aug. 2|, |900.

J. inname..

MACHINE FOR SEWING BUTTONS TD FABRICS.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1897.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-'Sheet 5.

llluuuia HIS ATTORNEY rra STATES ATEN YIFFICE@ JAMES T. IIOGAN, OFJERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TIIEv NATIONAL MACHINE COMPANY, OFTROY, NEW YORK.

Ninon-HNstort'1 SEWING BUTTONS To FABRICS.

SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,458, dated August21, 1900. Application iiled December 29, 1897. Serial No. 664.186. (Nomodel.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES T. HOGAN, of Jersey City,in the county ofHudson and State of New Jersey, have inventedia cert-ain new and usefulImprovement lin Machines for Sewing Buttons to Fabrics, of which thefollowing is a specification.

An important object of my improvement is to provide practicalmechanismwhereby a button having four holes may be sewed to a fabric bytwo sets of stitches crossing each other and each set extendingdiametrically across the button.

I will describe a machine embodying my improvement and then point outthe novel features iu the claims. y i

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a side View of. a machineembodyingl my improvement, certain parts being shown in section andothers being broken away. This view, it will be understood, is of thatside which is opposite the operator. Fig. 2`is an elevation of the otherside. Fig. 3 is a top view of the machine, a certain partbeing brokenaway and certain portions being shown in section. Fig. 4: is an invertedplan or bottom view ot' the machine, certain parts being omitted. Fig. 5is View of the left-hand end of the head of the machine with the endplate removed, the bed-'plate being shown in section. Fig. 6 is ahorizontal sect-in of the left-hand portion ofthe machine-head and,lcertain correlated parts.I Fig. `7 is a rear view` of the button-holder.Fig. 8 is a plan or top View of the button-holder. 'Fig 9 is ya top viewof a button and two sets of stitches for securing it in place.

Similar letters and numerals of reference designatecorresponding partsinall of the ligures.

This machine is espcciallyintended for sewing buttons to fabrics bymeans of two sets of stitches crossing each other and severallyextending diametrically across the button, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Itwill be understood that a button to be sewed in this manner willnecessarily have four holes l 2 3 4., Fig. 9. The machine may also havethe capacity of sewing a button having but two holes to a 5o fabric by asingle set of stitches.

A designates the bed-plate. It may be of any ordinary construction. Ashere shown, it is provided with a depending rim a for fitting into atable.

B designates the head of the sewing-machine, and this also may be ofordinary form.

D `designates the button holder or clamp. It may be of any suitableform. Itis capable of having a `motion to and fro in a straight .line topresent two diametrically-opposite holes of a button suitably for beingsewed by diametrical stitches to a fabric. As here shown, this motionwill be transversely to the length of the bed-p1ate.

C designates the needle of the machine. It is attached, as usual, to avertically-reciprocating needle-bar C', but in this example of `myimprovement the needle and needle-bar have also a horizontal to-and-'fromovement at right angles to the to-and-fro movement of'thebutton holderor clamp, so that by virtue of the to-and-fro movement of the buttonholder or clamp and the horizontal to-and-fro movement of the needle twosets of stitches crossing each other andarranged dia-metric- `ally of abutton may be made.

The button holder or clamp which I -have illustrated consists of `twojaws d d2, suitably shaped at the end to grip andihold'a button andforming parts oftwoarms `having upturnedportions, whereby they arepivoted `A-sprin'g 07,5 tends to draw the arms together for the lpurposeofcausing the jaws to grip and hold a button; but the movement ofthejaws toward each other under therinfluence ofthe spring is restricted bymeans of a screw d6. This screw is carried by and works on one jaw ofthe clamp and has its other end abutting against or otherwise engagingthe other jaw. The plate d4 is provided in the back with a horizontalgroove fitting a rib d?, formed upon ablock d8. Aset-screw d, passingthrough a horizontal slot d10 in the block d8 and engaging with atapped` Vholein the plate d4, provides for clamping this plate d4 to theblock d8 in different positions. Thus adjustments of the button holderor clamp in the direction of the length of the bed-plate are provided.The block d8 is provided with -a cylindric hole fitting a cylindricalrod du. l A set-screw dlpassing through the block and through the agencyo fscrewsd3 toa plate'd4. l

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engaging with the rod, secures the two -parts together in such a way asto provide for an adjustment rotarily of the block upon the tact withthe bed-plate.

rod. The rod C111 extends up adjacent to the head of the machine and atits upper extremity is bent horizontally to it into a socket C113.Set-screws C111, passing through the socket and impinging against therod, secure these parts together in such a way as to form an adjustableconnection, for by loosening the setscrews and pulling out the rod andthen retightening the set-screws the parts may be secured in diderentrelations. The socketpiece C113 is pivoted to a collar C115, that issecured bya set-screw C116 to a rod C117. During the sewing of a buttonthis rod C117 has no movement nor has it any function, except to supportthe pivot formed on the collar C115 and upon which the socket-piece C113and consequently the rod C111 rock. It is this rocking movement of therod C111 which provides the to-and-fro movement of the button holder orclamp transversely to the length of the bedplate. Obviously by adjustingthe relation of the rod C111 to the socket-piece C113 the button holder.or clamp may be differently posi` tioned with reference to thebed-plate. The rocking motion of the rod C111 is produced by means of acam-plate C113, provided with an oblique slot C113, this plate beingreciprocated once in each direction for every one of those stitcheswhich will be made transversely to thelength ofthe bed-plate. Preferablythere will be a steadimentfor the lower portion of the rod C111, andconsequently I have shown attached to it in any suitable manner-as, forinstance, bya set-screw C130a collar C131, which is provided with afinger C133, workingin a slot formed vertically in the head of thesewingmachine.

Before describing the means'whereby the cam-plate C118 is operated Iwill give a few words of explanation as to the rod C117. i It issupported in bearings formed in the top and bottom of the chamber formedin the left-hand end of the head of the sewing-machine, so as to be freeto slide vertically. Beneath the top of the chamber and above a collarC123 it is surrounded by a spiral spring C131. The collar C133 may besecured in different positions by means of a set-screw to suitablyadjust the tension upon the spring. The downward movement of the rodC117 is limited by the contact of thebutton-holder or clamp with thebed-plate or the fabric supported by the latter. Under ther lower end ofthe rod C117 extends a. lever C135, which is fulcrumed by a screw C135to a bracket or arm C137, depending from the head of the sewing-machine.By depressing the outer end of the lever C125 the rod 0117', andconsequently the button holder or clamp, will be raised against theresistance of the spring C131. This upward movement is limited byascrewC133, whichis connected with the outer arm of the lever and adapted toconvAny suitable means may be provided for rockin g'the lever C115. As

here shown, a rod C133 extends from its outer end and may be connectedwith a treadle.

The cam-plate C113 is attached to a supporting-plate C130. These platesC113 C130 are supported against the side of the head of thesewing-machine by means of a slotted plate C131, which may be secured inplace by screws entering the head of the sewing-machine.

The plate C13O is pivotally connected by means.

of a screw C132 to one end of a rod C133, whose other end is pivotallyconnected by means of a screw C131 to a stud C135, extending from ablock fitted to slide vertically in the groove of an arc-shaped leverC1311, secured at its lower end to a rock-shaft C137. When the buttonholder or clamp is to be idle, the stud C135 occupies a positioncoincident with the rockshaft C137, so that no motion will be impartedby the lever C136 to the cam-plate C113. During the time that the buttonholder or clamp is to have its to-and-fro movement transversely to thelength of the bed-plate the stud C135 will be adjusted upwardly to itsextreme po- .sition in order that it may participate in the oscillatingmovement of the lever C133. Preferably the lever C131i will be providedwith a stop C133 for limiting the upward movement of the stud C135. Thisstop, as here shown, consists of a. longitudinally-slotted plate fittedin the groove of the lever and secured by means of a screw C133, passingthrough its slot and engaging with a tapped hole in the lever. Thisplate will be secured in different positions to permit of differentadjustments of the stud C135 relatively to the lever C133. Thusdifferentamplitndes of the to-and-fro movement of the button holder orclamp may be provided. With the stud C135 engages one end of a leverC110, which is fulcrumed at the other end to a screw C111, secured tothe head of the sewing-machine. The lever C110 is moved up and down bymeans of a rod C112, connected with it by means of a screw C113. Thisrod C113 extends downwardly through the bed-plate. Between the bed-plateand a collar C111 a spring C115 surrounds the rod C113. The collar C114is secured by a set-screw, and hence may be adjusted to provide theproper tension on the spring. Preferably the rod C113 is made in twoparts adjustably secured together, and I have therefore shown its upperpart as made bifurcate to embrace the lever C110, and as made toconstitute a socket in which the lower part of the rod may engage bymeans of a set-screw, a jam-nut C116 preferably being employed to make asecure union. It will of course be understood that the spring C115 hasthe function of moving the stud C35 upward in the lever C1311. Thedownward movement is produced in opposition to the spring. y

It will be seen by reference to Figs. l and 4 that the rod C113 ispivotally connected below the bed-plate by a screw C117 to one end of alever C113, which at the other end is fulcrumed by a screw C119 to abracket R, secured to the under side of the bed-plate. In-

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lviding a screw-thread upon the other.

termediate the ends this leveris provided with a toe or iinger d50,coacting with a cam S, this cam being madeof a rim extending abouthalf-way around the under side of a disk, the rim being at one extremityinclined and at the other end vertical and being of uniform projectionilltermediate the ends. It will be readily understood that during abouthalf of the rotation ofthe disk the cam will operate upon the lever e148to hold the stud cl in a position coincident with the rockshaft d37,towhich the lever cl3 is affixed, and that during about one-half of therotation of the disk the spring d will sustain the stud in its elevatedposition, so as to participate in the oscillations of the said lever. Asa consequence the to-andi`ro movements of the button holder or clamptransversely to the length of the bed-plate will occur only during aboutone-half of the rotation of the said disk. The rock-shaft cl3? isoscillated by means of apin f, extending from a lever c7 into the grooveof a cam F, arranged in the head of the sewingmachine and geared by abevel-gearf with a bevel-gear# upon the main shaft G of the machine.

The needle-bar C/ is supported in a frame c, whose ends work throughslots in the top and bottom of theV chamber formed at the left end ofthe head of the sewirig-machine.v

The needle-bar slides vertically in bearings formed in this frame andhas affixed to it a collar c',from which project iin gers cembracing thebar d1?. These iin gers form a ulcrum upon which the frame may swinghorizontally. An arm comprised in the frame is pivotally connected byascrew c3, with one end of a rod ci, whose other end is pivotallyconnected by a screw c5 to a stud c6 extending from a block fitted tothe groove of a lever c7, which at the lower end is aiiixed to therock-shaft e157. A lever es, fulcrumed to a screw c", which is fastenedto the head of the sewing-machine, engages with the stud'c6 for thepurpose ot' shifting it up and down in the groove of the lever c7. Whenshifted to one position, the stud will be coincident with the rock-shaft137, and then no motion will be imparted by the lever c7 to theframec,in

of the lever and longitudinally slotted to re-V ceive a screw c, thatengages with a tapped hole in the lever.

To the lever c8 is pivotally connected a rod i cl2, which preferablywill be made in two pieces adj ustably connected together by forming oneinto a screw-threaded socket and pro- Preferably a jam-nut c1s will beused to secure the joint. Upon the rod a collar c14 is affixed, and

between it and the base-plate a spiral spring 015 surrounds the rod. Bythis spring the lever cs is moved into its uppermost position wheneverthis is possible. The lower end of the rod is pivotally connected by ascrew c1 with one end of a lever C17, whose other end is fulcru med to ascrew cl3, aftixed to the bracket R.- Intermediate its ends this leveris provided with a toe or finger C19 for bearing upon the cam S. It willbe understood that during about half the rotation of the disk upon whichthe cam is formed the lever c1T will be depressed by said cam, so as todepress the stud c6 into a position coincidentmwith the rookshaft CX37,which forms the fulcrum of the lever c7, and that during about ahalf-rotation of said disk the le ver 017 will be allowed to rise underthe influence of the spring 015, so that the stud c(i may be shiftedinto a position to participate in the oscillating movement ofthe leverc7. Of course the levers 6148017 are not operated by the cam at thesame` time unless momentarily at the beginning of the operation of oneand the ending of the operation of the other by said cam. Therefore thecam will cause the to-and-fro movement of the button holder or clamptransversely to the length of the bed-plate to occur for one period andthe to-and-fro horizontal movement of the needle with the frame c in thedirection of the length of the bed-plate to occur at another period,

and consequently will cause the sewing rst of one set of stitchesdiametrically of abutton and subsequently the sewing of a second set ofstitches diametrically of the button, but crossing the rst set ofstitches--that is, during the `to-and-fro movement of the buttonholderthe needle reciprocates only and the button-holder is at rest during theto-and-fro movement of. the needle.` Of course either one of thesemotions may be suspended by clampingin the lever dsor in the lever c7the stud which worksin said lever in a` position co- `incident with therock-shaft CPT.

The disk carrying the cam S is moved by a ratchet-wheel E, having anydesired number of teeth and operated by a pawl e, carried by apawl-lever c,having a longitudinally-slotted arm c2, which is connectedby a screw e3 with alongitudinally-slotted arm e4 of a lever e5, whichis fulcrumed 4to a screw es, affixed to the bed-plate. along the slotsin the levers e.' e5 for the purpose of varying the throw of the pawl,so as to make a greater or less number of stitches for sewing any buttonto a fabric. The lever e? is bifurcated at one end to embrace a cam c7,by which it is oscillated. The shaft carrying the cam e7 derives motionfrom the main shaft of the machine.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In a button-sewing machine, the combi nation of sewingmechanismcomprising a needie-bar and button-holder, said needle-bar and holderbeing each supported so as to be capable of a to-and-fro movement, meansfor The stud e3 may be adjusted i IOO IIO

producing such to-and-fro movements of the button-holder and needle, andmeans for alternating such to-and-fro movements of the needle andbutton-holder, the latter being at rest during the to-and-fro movementof the needle, substantially as described.

2. In a button-sewing machine the combination of sewing mechanismcomprisinga needle-bar, means forimparting to said bar a reciprocatingand also a to-and-fro movement, a button-holder, means for imparting tosaid holder a to-and-fro movement, a cam and means to actuate the same,and means actuated by said cam for positioning the parts so that theto-and-fro movement of the needle and button-holder will be alternatedand the button-holder brought to a position of rest during theto-and-fro movement of the needle and the to-and-fro movement of theneedle suspended during the to-andfro movement of the button-holder,substantially as described.

3. In a button-sewing machine, the combination of a button-holder, and aneedle and concomitant parts, of means in connection with saidbutton-holder and needle for producing relative to-and-fro movements between them, first a movement of the needle relatively to thebutton-holder the latter being at rest during such time and secondly ofthe button-holder relatively to the needle and in a direction transverseto the first movement so as to produce two sets of stitches crossingeach other and extending diametrically of the button, substantially asspecified.

4. In a buttonsewing machine, the combination of a button-holder and aneedle each supported so as to be capable of relativelytransverse-toandfro movement, levers for producing said to-and-fro movements, rodsintermediate said levers and the parts they' move, .and a cam foralternately shifting said rods into operative coaction with said levers,substantially as specified.

5. In a button-sewing machine, the combination of sewing mechanism and abuttonholder, said sewing mechanism comprising a needle-bar; arock-shaft, two levers affixed to said shaft, means to actuate saidlevers, arod intermediate of the needle-bar and one of said levers, arod intermediate of the button-holder and the other of said levers, eachrod being connected with its lever so as to be capable of adjustmentthereon to a position coincident with the rock-shaft, and means foralternately adjusting the point of connection between the rods and theirrespective levers, substantially as described.

6. In a button-sewing machine, the combination of sewing mechanism anda. buttonholder, said sewing mechanism comprisinga needle-bar; arock-shaft, two levers affixed to said shaft, means to actuate saidlevers, a rod intermediate of the needle-bar and one of said levers, arod intermediate of the button-holder and the other of said levers, eachrod being connected with its lever'so as to be capable of adjustmentthereon to a position coincident with the rock-shaft, a cam foralternately adjusting the point of connection between the rods and theirrespective levers, and means to cause the button-holder to vibrate at anangle to the direction of vibration of the needle-bar, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a button-sewing machine, the combination of sewing mechanism and abuttonholder, said sewing mechanism comprising a needle-bar; arock-shaft, Ytwo levers afXed to said shaft, means to actuate saidlevers, a rod intermediate ofthe needle-bar and one of said levers, arod intermediate of the button-holder and the other of said levers, eachrod being connected with its lever so as to be capable of adjustmentthereon to a position coincident with the rock-shaft, a cam foralternately adjusting the point of connection between the rods and theirrespective levers, means to vary the amplitude of the movements of theneedle-bar and work-holder, and means to cause the button-holder tovibrate at an angle to the direction of vibration ofl the needle-bar,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my' name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses. l

JAMES T. HOGAN.

Vitnesses:

JOHN J. SHAW, N. C. TEMPLETQN.

